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Austin Stoton prosecutes terrorist who sent weapons sighting systems to Afghanistan 

Cases 23 Oct 24

Austin Stoton prosecuted MC, a former British Soldier, convicted at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), for the export of advanced thermal imaging sights for weapons systems from the UK to the Taliban through direct contact with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) between May 2017 and May 2019. 

The first IEA, which had close links with Al Qaeda, fell in 2001, after which the Taliban fought the forces of the new government (called the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan or IRA) as well as international coalition forces (including British forces) located in the country. This conflict or insurgency continued for years whilst diplomatic efforts took place to negotiate with the Taliban. The conflict was ongoing when the sights were unlawfully sent to Karachi. The IEA’s Order of Battle included “Red Unit” special forces these units were better equipped than ordinary Taliban fighters or units and had specialised equipment such as night vision goggles. Throughout this period, the Taliban targeted international forces and the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces. They also targeted civilians and the civilian infrastructure.

On 17/06/2017 the contact referred to as ‘IEA’ sent MC by WhatsApp a link to a BBC article called “Taliban territory: Life in Afghanistan under the militants”. The article refers to the Red Unit, part of the Taliban’s special forces. It describes how their use of M4 machine guns, ‘with their night-vision scopes’ had enabled them to capture nearly 85% of Helmand Province from government forces.

Media on MC’s phone which had been published by Manba al-Jihad media, the media wing of the Haqqani network within the Afghan Taliban. The Haqqani network was proscribed in the UK in March 2015. The video was an unapologetic Jihadi training propaganda video, glorifying western casualties, Jihadi military activity and training camps

MC acquired 12 of the night-vision scopes for over £31,000 and was successful in sending out 8 sighting systems to the Taliban, although 4 others were seized by Border Force.

Austin was instructed by the Counter Terrorism Division of the CPS.

You can read some of the press coverage here: London man who sent weapon parts abroad for Taliban fighters jailed for terror offences | UK News | Sky News

Former UK soldier Muhammed Choudhary sent £31k of night-vision rifle sights to Taliban, court told


Cases | 23 Oct 24

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Austin Stoton

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